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In happier times – Men’s Shed members share a cuppa by the garage that was robbed twice last month.
A garage used for storage by the charity Hibiscus Men’s Shed was broken into twice recently and everything inside was taken.
The first break-in saw burglars use a crowbar to break into the garage, and remove a black Ecoflow sewage pump control box and all the cabling.
Ōrewa Police say the theft occurred between Friday July 9 and Monday July 12.
The stolen item is key to the drainage system that was about to be laid at the Men’s Shed’s new building.
On Thursday, July 22 in broad daylight, thieves broke in again and removed the remaining items – 30m of copper cable, a radial arm saw and bench and two stormwater sumps that had been destined for the carpark.
“They must have had a truck to take the saw bench away,” Maurice says. “We had replaced the lock, but it had been cut open.”
Both the garage, and the newly constructed large Men’s Shed are located in Silverdale, on the old bowling greens near the rugby club.
Hibiscus Men’s Shed Trust chair Maurice Browning says although insurance covers the cost, the break-in has them worried about security at the newly built shed.
He says they are getting a quote for CCTV and flood lighting but the estimated cost of $10,000 is well beyond their reach and applying for grants takes time with no guarantee of success.
They would love to hear from any companies who are able to assist in any way – contact Maurice, phone 027 279 0179.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact police by dialling 105 and quoting file 210713/4786.
A Give a Little Page seeking funds to install the Security camera’s has been set up: givealittle.co.nz/cause/keeping-it-safe
